Following the signs

When we left California at the end of June, my sister gave Satchi a book, "The Alchemist." My sister read it around Satchi's age, and the book left her with such an impression that she read it both in English and Japanese and still treasures it. It was such a kind gesture, and it piqued my interest in the book. I asked Satchi if I could borrow it from her. She answered, "Yeah, sure... when I finish reading it, but I don't know when that will be because I am in the middle of another book series". I shrugged my shoulder and let it go, thinking, "Oh well." Then, for a few weeks in Asheville, I kept bumping into multiple copies of The Alchemist book wherever I went, whether it was at a bookstore, the library, or the most random places. Every time I saw the cover, I thought to myself, "Satchi has the book. I should borrow it," but I never got around to it. Until, finally, I ran into another very old copy on the bookshelf in our current short-term rental. I literally shook my head and told myself, "Again?????" The book was about 30 years old, and every page was tanned in a brownish-yellow color, burnt along the edges from the sun. When I saw the book there, I finally told myself I should start reading it. 

As I started digging into the book, I realized that the main character, Santiago, was also following different signs along his path to follow his dream and life's purpose. It was peculiar to read a story about "following the signs" after actually following a bunch of breadcrumbs (aka signs) to open the book. 

When I read Euncie's behind-the-scenes story of her latest tape designs and Trina's interview with Miller Oberman, I could see how Eunice and Miller followed the signs presented to them along the way. Some were more subtle, like a whisper, and others were very loud and clear, like a guiding compass. Was it a coincidence that Miller was carrying his notebook when he needed it the most, ultimately opening the door for his writing career as a poet? And was it a happy accident that I asked Eunice about taking on another design project when she happened to feel ready? 

Nobody has a firm answer to these questions, and they should probably be left behind as the mysteries of our lives. But I love taking occasional breaks from the logical left-brain world and live within those mysteries and wonders. The Alchemist book had many beautiful wisdoms embedded within the story. Towards the end, I especially loved watching Santiago learn to become very quiet so he could listen to his heart's voice and discover these signs unfolding in front of him. 

"How can I listen to my heart's voice?" 

This will be a question I will be embodying today and tomorrow.  

-wakako

always a work in progress...

p.s. I am excited that BK will participate in the Stationery Store Day stamp rally this Sunday (8/4) between 12-5pm. Come and join us. You can find more details via this link! 

Back in L.A. for Stationery Store Day! // August 2nd, 2024

Designing a Positive Life // Eunice

NOTEBOOK PEOPLE: An Interview with Miller Oberman // Trina O’Gorman

More Stories from the Mountains via Substack // wakako